Licensed to practice in 4 states and accepts 7 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Coping Skills, Depression and 8 more.
(she/her)
New to Grow
I am Sarah, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and the owner and director of Serenity Psychotherapy Group. I earned my graduate degree from the Catholic University of America and have spent the past decade providing evidence-based therapy to individuals, couples, and families. My goal is to create a welcoming, supportive environment where you feel comfortable sharing your story at your own pace. During our first session, we will discuss what brings you to therapy, explore your concerns, identify your goals, and begin building a therapeutic relationship based on trust and collaboration. Whether you are seeking support for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, or a major life transition, you can expect a compassionate, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard and understood.
I believe that effective therapy begins with recognizing that every client is unique. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I tailor treatment to your individual needs, experiences, strengths, and goals. My style is warm, practical, collaborative, and culturally responsive, allowing clients to feel both supported and empowered throughout the therapeutic process. As someone who is fluent in English and Farsi, I understand the importance of cultural identity, family dynamics, and the ways that culture can shape our experiences. I am committed to creating an inclusive environment where clients from diverse and multicultural backgrounds feel respected, valued, and understood.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to build genuine, trusting relationships with clients. I strive to help clients feel seen, heard, and accepted while providing evidence-based interventions that promote meaningful growth and healing. With extensive experience treating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship concerns, and life transitions, I help clients develop greater self-awareness, strengthen coping skills, and navigate challenges with confidence. My combination of clinical expertise, cultural sensitivity, empathy, and practical problem-solving allows me to support clients in creating lasting change and moving toward a more balanced, fulfilling life.
My ideal client is an adult between the ages of 18 and 64 who may be experiencing the effects of trauma, grief, or significant life transitions. They may be struggling with challenges such as loss, relationship changes, career stress, identity development, or the lasting impact of difficult life experiences. While they may feel overwhelmed, stuck, or uncertain about how to move forward, they are motivated to engage in the therapeutic process and explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My ideal client is interested in developing greater self-awareness and gaining deeper insight into their experiences, needs, values, and patterns of functioning. Through a collaborative and supportive therapeutic relationship, they are willing to learn new coping strategies, process difficult emotions, build resilience, and work toward meaningful personal growth and healing. They value a safe, nonjudgmental space where they can better understand themselves and create positive, lasting change in their lives.
Other specialties
I identify as
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I used DBT in practice to help individuals build skills for managing intense emotions, improving relationships, and coping with stress in healthier ways. In treatment, I would work with clients to explore mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness skills. Throughout sessions I work with clients to support them in recognizing and changing unhelpful patterns while accepting themselves and experiences without judgment.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I utilize CBT to support individuals in identifying and changing negative thought patterns that influence emotions and behaviors. During sessions I engage clients to explore unhelpful thinking habits, challenge inaccurate beliefs, and develop healthier ways of interpreting situations.
Eclectic
I practice by combining techniques from different therapeutic approaches to meet the unique needs and goals of my clients. In treatment, I closely work with clients to select strategies from methods such as CBT, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, or person-centered therapy based on what works best for them. This flexible approach allows therapy to be tailored to the client's specific challenges, strengths, and preferences. Through a personalized treatment plan, the client will learn coping skills, gain insight into experiences, and develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving.
Trauma Informed Care
I incorporate trauma-informed care in my practice by creating a safe, supportive, and empowering environment that recognizes the impact of trauma on client's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In treatment, I work with my clients in emphasizing trust, collaboration, choice, and emotional safety. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, I implement trauma-informed care to help clients understand how past experiences affect current functioning. Through this approach, clients can build coping skills, strengthen resilience, and process difficult experiences at a pace that feels comfortable.